Five movies that estrogen love and dads can enjoy

Marriage can be called the grand compromise. When men enter this partnership and become a husband or maybe even a father, they have certain things that they’ll need to hunker down and take. As a new husband I learned quickly that the cinematic tastes of the fairer sex were one of those things. When I became a father, my capacity to appreciate some of her favorite movies increased, as long as I was sitting down and didn’t have a writhing, screaming toddler near me.

Please note that this is a list of chick flicks that men can enjoy and not just a list of movies for the girls. Ladies, your list may be different. Guys, the amount that you enjoy each movie will vary, but rest assured you won’t be judged or maligned in public for liking them.

Love Actually

Filmed in 2004 and featuring an almost entirely British cast, Love Actually gets everything right. The storyline is circular and connects all of the characters at the end. Because of that fact that it’s an ensemble movie, some of the characters are stronger than others, but on whole the movie is rock solid.
Guys will like the fact that it features Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley and Hugh Grant.
Valentine’s Day, a Hollywood product that tried to do what Love Actually did, was a soulless imposter. If you saw that mega celebrity dreck, then give yourself ten lashings and rent Love Actually.

Adventures in Babysitting

 
A teenage girl gets stood up on a date and then decides to babysit two teenage boys and a young girl. It’s a film from Chris Columbus and the trademark shots of Chicago, good use of music and quick pacing are all there to make this movie enjoyable today. Granted the fashion is a bit dated, but its good family entertainment.
Every guy who grew up in the 80s had a crush on Elizabeth Shue. She’s the lead in this movie and is really charming. What’s great about her is that she never made really crappy movies; she just went on to do other things. She is making movies again though, appearing in the upcoming Piranha 3D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW5_4gZ0Jn4

When Harry Met Sally

The obvious choice.  Men and women can (or can’t) be just friends without sex?  It’s a genuinely funny movie that’s held up well over time.  It’s also got a fabulous soundtrack by Harry Connick Jr. and features Carrie Fisher in a supporting role.  Granted, Carrie Fisher in a supporting role may not be a big deal, but all the fans boys will want to watch it again just to be reminded of Princess Leia slave. 
The Princess Bride

My wife and her friends can quote this movie inside and out. Thankfully for the testosterone set it’s a funny movie that’s not too childish or romantic.
It’s the estrogen equivalent of Monty Python’s The Holy Grail. You’ll forgive me for this being the second film from Rob Reiner in my five movie list. That either proves what a good eye for source material Meathead had or my estrogen levels are increasing as I get older.
 

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

 
This movie got funnier after I got married. It’s the story of a large Greek family and their relationship with the oldest daughter as she gets married. It’s the highest grossing romantic comedy ever, having been produced for less than $5 million and grossed $414 worldwide. Odds are that you’ve seen it, if not, rent it the next time you need brownie points with your girlfriend or wife.

What, no Sandra Bullock?

It’s a list of five. However, pick any Sandra Bullock movie and you’ll be safe, except Force of Nature…